For 20 years V-Day activists around the world have been doing
The Vagina Monologues to shatter taboos, change laws and demand attention to the fact that over 1 and 3 women on this planet will be beaten or raped in her lifetime. Today, a war on cisgender and transgender women and girls, and those who hold fluid identities, is raging. Our bodies, our very safety and our future is at stake. V-RAGE & RISE will be a space for us to read articles and view videos that remind us that if ever there was a moment to keep going in the fight to end violence against all women and girls, it is now.
From the revoking of reproductive rights to increased rates of violence, we must continue fighting and advocating for the rights of all women and girls (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender based violence).
In this moment, producing The Vagina Monologues or A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and a Prayer is a political act, an Artistic Uprising. Staging a One Billion Rising event is an act of creative resistance. And screening the CITY OF JOY documentary film is a statement and commitment to women’s leadership at a time is it needed more than ever.
Join us in spreading the word, centralizing the experiences of those who face systemic and societal violence, and holding those in power accountable. SHARE and POST V-RAGE AND RISE news on social media and tag with the hashtag #VRageAndRise. There is so much to RAGE about, and so much to RISE for. Let’s create a momentum with our VOICES – organize & take part in grassroots actions, artistic uprisings and creative and political resistance, call out and call in our government representatives, and support OUR fellow activists in continuing the necessary work to end violence against all women and girls.
In the past two weeks alone, the following news articles broke:*
- New Oklahoma Bill Would Make Abortion Punishable By Life In Prison
“Following the footsteps of Republicans in Ohio, an Oklahoma state senator has introduced a new bill that would make abortion a felony homicide punishable by life in prison. Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Republican Sen. Joseph Silk, gives fetuses equal protection under state laws and includes abortion in Oklahoma’s definition of felony homicide. The legislation, dubbed the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act, makes no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or danger to a woman’s life. “ The Abolition of Abortion Oklahoma also calls on the state to override any federal abortion rulings, including Roe v. Wade. If passed, this legislation will have a devastating impact on women, their accessibility to healthcare, and the right to decide what is best for their own bodies and lives. Senate Bill 13 perpetuates a cycle of systemic violence, by denying women access to necessary healthcare. We must continue fighting these injustices, we will not give up our autonomy.
#ProChoice #VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRise
- A registered sex offender was arrested after working as Santa Claus impersonator
Robert Kendel, a registered sex offender from Florida, was arrested for working as a Santa Claus impersonator after not informing authorities about his status and past sexual violence with a child. We must continue working to protect all vulnerable groups from future abuse, and keep centralizing the voices of those who face the most marginalization, including children who are often left without a platform or voice.
#VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRise
- Independent Autopsy of Transgender Asylum Seeker Who Died in ICE Custody Shows Signs of Abuse
Roxsana Hernandez Rodriguez was a 33 year old transgender woman from Honduras, seeking asylum in the US amongst others in a migrant caravan, her autopsy reveals that she faced abuse under ICE custody. She showed signs of internal hemorrhaging, and was denied basic necessities such as water, causing further HIV complications leading to her death. We must continue to advocate for the rights of all women and girls, especially those who are facing the most marginalization from systems of oppression, such as imperialism, systemic violence, and a denial of basic human rights.
#JusticeForRoxsana #JusticeParaRoxsana #VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRiseThe Transgender Law Center (TLC) and the Law Office of Andrew. R. Free are working to take legal action to hold government accountable for Roxsana Hernandez Rodriguez’ death, learn more at https://transgenderlawcenter.org/archives/14407
- The most dangerous place for a women is the home, a new UN study says
A study conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that out of the recoded 87,000 woman who were killed this past year, 58% were murdered by their partners or family members. Women are most likely to face violence at the hands of someone they know.
#VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRise
- Proposed Ohio Law Could Make Abortion Punishable by Death Penalty
House Bill 565 states that women who receive abortions, as well as their medical practitioners, can be charged and punished as criminals, which includes time in prison and the death penalty. Women everywhere are being denied of healthcare services and autonomy, and we will not stand for it. “We must fight harder than ever to protect every woman’s right to control her own body, life, and future.” -Dr. Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
#StopTheBans #VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRiseThe Ohio Senate will begin hearings on Tuesday Dec. 4th, while the organization NARAL Pro-Choice Activists pro-choice activists will be holding their own Statehouse rally. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/NARALProChoiceOhio/events/
- US law banning female genital mutilation ruled unconstitutional
Federal and district judges are claiming that Congress does not have the authority to rule FGM as unconstitutional, and that it must be dealt with state by state. As a result, charges against a Michigan doctor who has been performing FGM surgeries over the last 12 years and denying it were dropped. We must take action and call for greater accountability from our government and representatives. We will continue to advocate to stop this harmful practice, which causes lasting emotional and physical trauma for the victims that undergo this procedure.
#EndFGM #VRageAndRise #ReasonToRage #UntilTheViolenceStops #WhyWeRise
*List in formation…
JOIN US in this action. Share your REASON TO RAGE on social media, tag us #ReasonToRage
